The lock and unlock commands allow or deny direct disk access for applications.

Availability

Lock and unlock are internal commands that are available in the following Microsoft operating systems.

  • Availability

  • Lock and unlock syntax

  • Lock and unlock examples

  • Windows 95

  • Windows 98

Lock and unlock syntax

LOCK [drive:]

UNLOCK [drive:]

Lock and unlock examples

lock c:

Lock the C: drive

When typing the command above, you will receive the following prompt.

WARNING: The LOCK command enables direct access by programs that can CORRUPT file names and DESTROY disk data, resulting in the loss of files on your disk.

Are you sure (Y/N)?

unlock c:

Unlock the C: drive

If an error is indicating that a process cannot continue because the hard drive is locked, the unlock command cannot resolve these error messages.

  • See our lock definition for further information and related links on this term.